青森県尻労安部洞窟で発掘調査を重ね, 旧石器時代人の獲物に由来すると見られる更新世動物化石に多く資料を得た。主体を占めるウサギの歯に関しては形態分析を経て, 一様にノウサギの資料である可能性が高いことを確認した。また洞奥部から出土した地域絶滅動種ヒグマ, ヘラジカの歯牙についてはマイクロCTにより歯根部の成長輪も観察。その結果, 特にヒグマの犬歯は, 2年目の秋に死亡した個体に由来することも確認することができた。生物境界線ブラキストン線の直下に位置する本州最北端における更新世の動物相と同地域に展開した旧石器時代人の狩猟活動。その実相に迫れたことが本研究の主要な成果となる。
Through repeated excavations at Shitsukari-Abe cave in Aomori Prefecture, we were able to obtain many Pleistocene mammal fossils that were originated from the prey of Paleolithic human hunters. Most of them were rabbits' teeth, and morphological analysis indicated a strong possibility they came from Japanese hares (Lepus brachyurus). Other fossils unearthed in recesses of the cave were identified as teeth of brown bears (Ursus arctos) and moose (Alces alces) [both extinct in this region]. The growth rings of the roots of these teeth were examined using micro-CT. The results of this analysis indicated the brown bear canine tooth were from a bear that had died in the autumn of its second year. This research also produced a rich body of evidence on both of the following topics: The Pleistocene fauna in the northern tip of Honshu, just to the south of the zoographical boundary known as the Blakiston Line and the hunting activities of the Paleolithic humans who lived in the same region.

研究種目 : 基盤研究(B)(一般)
研究期間 : 2013～2015
課題番号 : 25284152
研究分野 : 考古学